Blog Update

Yes it has been awhile since we have put fingers to the keyboard or made a video. There have been a few changes and time has been an issue. But the biggest issue is that my laptop which became a PC, gave me the red screen of death. Not to mention all the blog files and pictures were still on the computer with no way to see them.

As it turned out Something likes me in the universe, because I turned on the laptop/PC and the screen came on and I was able transfer files to the removable hard drive (thank you whatever you are!) until I found another computer.

And now I have a Frankenstein computer, don't ask but you can see a pic HERE  .

Making some changes to the blog as well. Adding a costume fabrication element as well.

We hope everyone had a brilliant summer, and for those who braved Fan Expo 2014, may there have been a geeky goodness fun time for you! Sunday if you happen be there and saw this..................................................

 That was us! We made the Groot mask.

More pictures and ramblings to come. Also long life to Nerd Noise Night!!! One of the best events outside of Fan Expo.

Happy Geeking

KALA-MEET YOUR MAKER, Dark Souls with Dylan

Dylan takes on Kalameet in Dark Souls, and trust me, he's died a lot more than you see today…

http://youtu.be/_9JaKD2wXRc?list=UUov14s3kxvNvkkky1Uin13w

Don't forget to like our blog, Geek Circus and follow us on the Twitter.

Destiny Beta with Dylan

So the much anticipated Destiny is set for release (FINALLY) later this year. But if you are like Dylan and pre-ordered than you got the code to play the beta.

This is Dylan's adventures in Destiny - Beta land!

T-Shirt feature; Getting Shirty

I could not resist doing a feature on Getting Shirty after checking out their website of awesome nerdy goodness of tees! Then, I found Hannibal slogan t-shirts. I fell in love.

                                                        

Hannibal - TV Series

                                                          

Getting Shirty has been making custom t-shirts since 2006. They do Television, Film, Music fandom inspired tees, pop culture and even some pretty cheeky t-shirts too. There really is something for everyone's taste. Getting Shirty even lets you create your own t-shirts as well.

Below are a couple of my favorites. I'm pretty sure you will find your nerd-tastic favorites too!


                                        

Soooooooo what are you waiting for??? Are you Getting Shirty yet? Website: www.gettingshirty.com

You can also follow Getting Shirty on Facebook  Twitter and Tumblr

                                                       

                                                                      
                                                               
                                                                              

 

 

Convention Harassment Continued..

For those of you who know me (or have read the blog) than you know as a Geek Girl how passionate I am about geek/fan girl hate and harassment in geek culture and conventions.

As a group of people who have been outcast from normal society,  who have an understanding of our love and commitment to franchises such as Star Wars, for example or how certain toys and collectibles induce childhood nostalgia, we should be embracing our individual passions! Sharing with other like minded people and be totally excited to expect positive connections and other fan encounters while attending a convention. ANYWHERE.

We need to have a dialogue where everyone addresses these VERY serious issues of hate, misogyny, harassment (whether verbal or physical). An environment where every one feels safe and leaves a convention with a positive experience.

I have other very strong views about the way society seems to be going with regards to women, which I will save for another day. Right now I really want to share with you a blog by Caliban, author at Fanboy News Network. He has worked for Wizards of the Coast and been involved within other aspects of Geek Culture for many years. He has been blogging about the Fangirl hatred and has some insight and fantastic opinions on the whole harassment in geek culture which made me subscribe to the blog. Below is Caliban latest installment on harassment at conventions, regarding SDCC and how policies should be put into to place ASAP.

 The SDCC harassment failure

Posted on June 7, 2014

Once again, we find ourselves wading into the issue of harassment in geek culture. This time it hits the big arena that is San Diego Comic Con (SDCC).
The growing awareness of the issue of harassment at conventions has led to many conventions addressing this issue in increasingly clear language. I have written about this several times. We have seen good examples (such as the policies put forth by Emerald City Comicon and The Calgery Expo), bad examples (such as with Fan Expo Canada), and even tragic examples (as was the case with Aki Con).
But unlike these shows, SDCC is well known to mainstream culture. It is THE big show, sells out in 90 minutes, and getting to go is akin to getting the golden ticket.
In light of all these factors, a group called GeeksForCONsent created an online petition to urge SDCC to create a specific anti-harassment policy. Right now, what they have is a broad code of conduct that mentions harassment, but does not define what it means.
Specifically, the SDCC code of conduct is as follows:  Attendees must respect common sense rules for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect for private property. Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. Comic-Con reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership and badge of any attendee not in compliance with this policy. Persons finding themselves in a situation where they feel their safety is at risk or who become aware of an attendee not in compliance with this policy should immediately locate a member of security, or a staff member, so that the matter can be handled in an expeditious manner.
What GeeksForCONsent is looking for is a more clearly defined process that includes a visible reporting mechanism, signs around the convention outlining the policy, and staff training on how to handle these issues. If this sounds familiar, it is because I wrote about it here detailing Emerald City Comicons anti-harassment effort. These are also the steps that The Calgary Expo and many others adopted this year.
Unfortunately, any hope of this petition having any effect right now is stalled. We know this because the director of marketing for SDCC (Daniel Glanzer) has commented on the petition in an interview stating that he did not favor creating a more explicit and visible policy, because it may send the message that there is a harassment problem at SDCC.
I understand if you need to take a minute after reading that last sentence.
Glanzer’s stance is that he thinks that SDCC has taken sufficient steps to deal with harassment and anything else would just cause bad press. I want to go on record as disagreeing with Glanzer. While I do not think a policy needs to be point by point, I do feel it needs to be specific enough that it points out what harassment is defined as, and what mechanisms are in place for someone to report it and get help. In reading Glanzer’s, response I feel his message was that SDCC marketing and publicity was more important than making the convention a safe space. Not only do I find their position unsettling, I worry that they are sending a message to other convention organizers that they need not worry about their own harassment policies.
We are at a point in geek culture when the issue of inclusion vs harassment is now a major issue. Not every convention has a good policy, but as more incidents are having light shed on them, more organizers are taking steps to address the issue. The effects of these steps are visible. Conventions that make sure they are a safe space are reaping the benefits of good will and strong attendance.  Conventions that ignore the issue are getting bad reputations and are starting to see more people staying away.
My biggest concern is that SDCC does not have as much incentive to change, since it is the big dog of conventions. Even staying with their lack luster policy they are going to sell out. The only thing that might be able to change their position externally is a lot of very bad press, or boycotts from major figures in fandom.
My hope is that someone with clout, either inside or outside the organization, can convince them that updating their policy is in everyone’s best interest.
Until then, it is up to those of us in the trenches to keep pushing this message and demanding better.


As he has written in the past, a few conventions are making a difference, but there is still much, much more that needs to be done to ensure a safe healthy environment for all attendees. I hope you take the time to visit Fanboy News Network and check Caliban's other pieces. His writing is brilliant! Included is an online petition by GeeksForCONsent. Below is a link to their YouTube video. Make your voice be heard! Stand strong and stand together!

Cosplay =/= CONsent: Harassment Testimonies
Online petition

Samantha

Review - Leonardo A Short Documentary

Leonardo - A Short Documentary

Presented at Hot Docs 2013
8 minutes and 35 seconds
Directed & edited by Jeffrey Zablotny
with Stu Marks

I am a sucker for nostalgia and Leonardo hit me at a core with me.  It opens with a home video of a Ninja Turtle birthday in 1992.  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were one of the biggest toys in the 90's and the 1990 movie only made them more of a hit with the kids. Who didn't want the Ninja Turtles van?

Stu and his brother had the ninja turtles action figures from the movie that you could change the arms and legs. When they would play with the turtles, they would imagine the heating vents as the sewers that would be the ninja turtles world. Unfortunately Leonardo was lost in the vent and they were unable to recover him.

Stu had obviously thought about Leonardo several times over the past "10 to 15 years", because he decides to go back to his parents home and rescue Leonardo once and for all!

To me this movie is about childhood memories and the rescue of that special lost toy. I could not help but walk down memory lane with Stu. Haven't we all had that one toy for what ever reason was the most important possession in our lives? So much apart of you life, you might still have it to this very day? I was right there with Stu when he was talking about his childhood memories, reminiscing myself. So the brothers attempt to rescue Leonardo from the basement, than finally deciding trying from above was the best bet. After a couple of attempts, finally Leonardo is rising to the surface! That last few nail biting inches, when Leonardo was close enough for Stu to reach a hand in and grab Leonardo by the foot... I was giddy with Stu!! After all these years! Leonardo has finally emerged from the 'sewer'!!

If that scene at the end on the train, with Leonardo sitting on Stu shoulder doesn't stir your inner child and make you grin with at least one memory of joy you felt toward a toy. you are missing the point of this short but sweetly endearing doc. A beautiful shared moment of childhood.

Samantha

Things That Should Be A Thing But Aren't A Thing.

A new sub-topic where I show off things that I find from the Internet! A majority of which should be more popular, or things that I find would be generally interesting.

From what I could find out about this next part goes as followed;

Title : R'ha

Kaleb Lechowski: Director, Writer, Production Design, Cinematography, Special/ Visual Effects

Matthew Graham: Writer

Hartmut Zeller:  Music, Sound (Editing/ Mixing)

Cast: David Masterson as Alien and The Machine

A stunning example of how movies should be made, clearly with love and passion for the craft. Why big studios struggle to make anything of equal caliber is a joke! This is a great short film and deserves the honor of being made into a feature length film. In the short time that movie runs it engages you so fully, that you find yourself searching for more footage and more story.

But don't let my raving bore you here is the link for it:
R'ha : Alien v.s. Machine

Vikings Season 2 Ending *SPOILERS* (+playlist)

Official Geek Circus Stuff for Purchase

After a long debate with myself, I Dylan of Geek Circus, have finally begun to post on Rebubble.com.

Dylans Redbubble

Please show your support for the blog, and a million thanks for sticking around and reading our stuff.

Dylan's thoughts on Pacific Rim v.s. Godzilla

Better call favoritism on this one, Cause I love Godzilla. I grew up with him, granted I did do some research on both sides here, but mainly I'm just posting the bare bones of the matter not going into huge amounts of detail or anything, because it's pretty clear who would win!

Just clear things up,
The Giant Robots from Pacific Rim COULD NOT fight the new Godzilla, mainly because he's friggin GIA"FREAKING"GANTIC.

GODZILLA IS 350 FEET FUCKING TALL, The tallest "Jaegar" from Pacific Rim is 100 feet shorter, and while that may not seem that big, we aren't just measuring height, not weight, or length OR ANY OTHER POPPYCOCK, Because it would be a waste of time, any natural creature would have a body proportionate to it's mass, a tail to counter balance it's weight for example, I'm assuming that Godzilla weighs A LOT, so it would be natural to assume that his tail weighs A LOT, also implying that Godzilla is at leaf twice as heavy as a Jaegar….AT LEAST. Godzilla also has neigh Wolverine like Self-Healing, with sustained fights with creatures MUCH stronger than him being the only way to hurt him….HELL the Japanese Military shot a goddamned Black Hole at him, And guess what…..he lived. Now I'm not a sciency feller, but correct me if I'm wrong, but a Black Hole, aside from a Super Nova, is one of the most powerful forces in existence, STAB THAT WITH YOUR FANCY SWORD GYPSY DANGER! Not to mention, Godzilla also can shot ATOMIC FIRE from his mouth. In one of the last Godzilla Movies, it could be fired into space to destroy asteroids, and could kill other giant monsters in a single hit.

So with the basics (the bare bones basics,) in mind, who do you think would win?

Artist Feature: RUINed Pixels

RUINed Pixels is the creation of a multi-talented, artistic young lady named Airryn. Handmade bead sprites; Her pixel bead sprite art is inspired by gaming and other fantastic geek culture genres plus original custom designs. Airryn has many fantastic fun creations for you to purchase. Any avid collector can find something nostalgic or funky with many items catching the gamers fancy! Some items can be crafted into wearable jewelry. 

 "If you think it, I can create it! Always fusing something new." Commissions available upon request. 

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I hope many of you had the opportunity to partake in Toronto ComiCon 14 and happen upon the RUINed Pixel table with other locally talented artists.

Contact info/website: ruinedpixels.com
And "LIKE" RUINed Pixels on facebook

Sam.

Geek Circus Blog goes to Comic Alley Toys Oshawa

Godzilla, Bringing Monsters Back.

For those of you who don't know who Godzilla is, here is your refresher; seeing as how he is returning to the big screen this May. Mind you, I will not be discussing Godzilla 1998 as it really has no place to stand with the classic monster (a story for another day).

Godzilla's exact origins vary, but it is generally depicted as an enormous, violent, prehistoric sea monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation. Pretty self-explanatory I know, pretty much it's a giant radioactive dinosaur-like creature. And while yes, in the Japanese tongue, Godzilla is classified as the noun "Kajiu" which translates to "strange creature", NOT IN ANY WAY TO CONFUSED WITH THE PACIFIC RIM KAIJU, as Godzilla is measured to be at least 5x times larger than the biggest Kaiju, so quit saying that Jaegars could fight Godzilla, or that Godzilla should be classified as a Pacific Rim creature, Godzilla has been around since the 40s! And the term Kaiju is used as describing phrase for all Japanese Monsters, and is not a member of the Kaiju species from Pacific Rim. 

Bigger than a Pacific Rim Kaiju people…a lot bigger.

The Evolution of Godzilla.

1940s Godzilla.

Over the years have had many reimaginings, going from your typical dopy looking beast from the days of early Monsters Movies, not looking very threatening (mainly the eyes) while this in a way, made it convey more emotion (as much as a giant monster can convey) which helped show the creature interact with his surroundings and other giant monsters. 

Godzilla 90s

Then the days of colour came, and with it, a new brand of monster, now featuring red/orange eyes the King of Monsters a more menacing appearance and with some re-touches to the overall appearance of the monster, he began to take a more monstrous appearance with more spikes and a sharper look, and for while up to say 2000, the look of Godzilla stayed relatively the  same, short snout, long kinda blunt tail, an upright stance, and of course the spikes. 







Then came Godzilla 2000, and with it, a new sleeker, sharper, deadlier look to the King himself, with an elongated snout, larger spikes, a more menacing demeanour, and of course a new take on his famous roar. This new Godzilla took on new foes like Orga, Megaguirus, King Ghidorah, and of course, Mecha-Godzilla.


 



 An obvious attempt to reboot the series, it worked for a time, but then kinda died off. Putting an end to King of Monsters…….or so we thought. 

Now 2014, Godzilla is making the big old comeback tour, with a new movie coming out in May of 2014 (THIS YEAR PEOPLE!!!!!), Expect a whole new level of city-wide destruction and possibly GIANT MONSTER FIGHTS!!!! Now, I don't expect an Oscar winning motion picture, hell my standards are quite small for the new movie, only having 2 things: Destruction and Godzilla. If you mess either one of those…well you don't quite have a Godzilla movie now do ya.

Here's to the possibility of reliving my childhood! 

Dylan